Baena remembers how after losing the final with the under-21 team and with his first call-up to the senior team, "it was a bad personal moment, even with thoughts of quitting football, of giving it all up," he acknowledges.
"People only see the good, that you're recognized on the street and think it's positive, although it's not, the money aspect, that you live very well... but they don't know the bad side behind it. Being on alert 24 hours, taking care of yourself, traveling without seeing your family, not being able to do what your friends do because you have to watch your diet and rest. Only the beautiful side is seen, but football is very tough. Only those who are close know it. Although we are privileged, we have a bad side and a good side," he describes.